16ga.com ~ View topic

Joined: 08 Dec 2016 Posts: 168 Location: Michigan

I had a quick question after having read much of the conversations in various threads regarding the issues of powder migration with the Remington SP16 Wads and the larger hull types (Fed/Ched/Rio etc.).

Is the problem consistent regardless of powder used? Or is it really more evident with just a few of the "smaller" (realize that's not the correct term) granule type powders?

I see Longshot & 800x mentioned fairly frequently as the primary offenders.

Was looking at a few bismuth load options that I have materials on hand for. Saw most that had the Federal + SP16 + Longshot combo that I've read a lot about being problematic, but I also see a few using Universal and one using Unique instead.

Would either of those powders negate or reduce migration or would they have the same issues as longshot?

Thanks in advance for any feedback/suggestions.

Rob

Joined: 26 Apr 2010 Posts: 3177 Location: NCWa

Powder migration is dependent on variables that include:
Gap between wad base and hull
Size of powder granules
Shape of powder granules

and most importantly
Amount of time and movement loaded shell is exposed to between loading and firing.

Joined: 05 Mar 2017 Posts: 34 Location: AL

Powder migration will not be an issue with 800X or A Steel which are large flake type powders. Stay away from Ball powders like Longshot unless you use an over powder wad to stop the migration.

just remember , the Rem wads were only truly matched to the Rem hulls or Win comp formed . The Rem wads are listed in many , many loads and may work out , maybe not . I ran into a BIG problem with Nitro and these wads on one of my 1st trips to Standing Rock . If you are gonna use these , pay close attn. to Mark's thread on the tyvek . 2 miles out on the prairie is NOT the time to find out a problem exists - my savior was I had several different loads in my pocket !

Joined: 15 Dec 2005 Posts: 287 Location: missouri

As was stated ball powders like Longshot, WW540 and WW571 are about the worst, they will migrate. SP-16 wad was designed for taper wall hulls not straight wall hulls so their is fit issue.
With Unique or Universal you may not have to much as the flake size seems to be large enough to negate it.
I am a big fan of Gas Seals or Nitro cards under the Sp-16 wads and have been shooting them for years with finer powders, if you know what your doing you can use powders like Longshot with great success, contrary to what many of the experts on here seem to think.

Joined: 08 Dec 2016 Posts: 168 Location: Michigan

Thank you all for the feedback.

Since I do have 100 or so RGL once fired hulls along with the SP16 wads, and Rem primers, for now I've decided to just snag a 1lb bottle of Longshot and use one of the published Hodgon recipes for those components.

Considering I'm still so new to the reloading scene, and the relatively low volume of Non-Tox I'll shoot each year, it seems the prudent move.

Another question: I assume the SP16 shows up so frequently in the bismuth recipes due to increased volume needs for 1 oz. of bis vs 1 oz. of lead. Is this the case or are their other attributes of the wad that also make it the predominant wad?

It seems logical, however that also makes me think i'd also see more bismuth recipes for the z-16 or other higher capacity wads for Rio/Fed/Ched hulls, and I actually see very few?

Thanks again all.

Joined: 16 Jul 2015 Posts: 2124 Location: Hudson,Wy

Longshot leaks with a lot of combinations. 800-x is the polar opposite.

I think a lot of the SP16 data has to do with the fact that it was the only commonly available wad for a long time. The euro wads are an option but available from limited sources so powder manufacturers probably want to get out the data with Rem wads first. They also don't put much emphasis on our favorite gauge. Unfortunate. I have done my part to increase popularity of the 16ga. but it is just not a top seller. Shame.

Member Joined: 06 Oct 2007 Posts: 2346 Location: West MI